Senior students at the Elmore Stoutt High School are now permitted to return to school on Monday, May 10th using the hybrid/shift system.
This was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Dr. the Honorable Natalio D. Wheatley who said “I am now pleased to announce that having engaged with the relevant stakeholders, we are now ready to implement the planned shift system to have all senior students attending classes five days a week with effect from Monday, May 10, 2021.”
“Students were previously divided in groups for scheduling purposes so there will be two shifts, with the morning shift beginning at 8:40 a.m. and ending at 11:55 a.m. for groups 10A, 11A and 12A. The afternoon shift will be for students in group B and it will begin at 12:40 p.m. and end at 3:55 p.m. Transportation will be provided for students to move between campuses to attend technical/lab classes,” the Minister added.
REDUCED CLASS TIME
Minister Wheatley also addressed concerns on reduced class times.
“I am aware that some persons have expressed concern about the reduced instructional time for single sessions, but please be assured that we are also considering additional measures to support our students. I also wish to reiterate that students will continue to do practice exercises, homework and other activities when they are not attending face to face sessions. The use of our Google classrooms and other online platforms will continue as teachers will supplement their contact sessions using the platform.”
BUS SERVICE TO RESUME
For those students who utilize the Government subsidized bus programs Minister Wheatley said “please note that the buses will pick up and drop off students to meet their shift sessions. Parents are therefore asked to make contact with the bus drivers to make arrangements based on their children’s schedule. Parents who regularly transport their children to and from school will continue to do so.”
“With respect to our students from Jost Van Dyke, students will be expected to come over on the regularly scheduled time, be transported by bus from West End and report to school. A dedicated space is being provided for students who will be on the afternoon and morning shift where they can complete assignments until their class time or their departure time. Accommodation has been made for students on the afternoon shift to leave at 3:30 p.m. to catch the 4:00 p.m. ferry.”
Parents are asked to note that with the shift system that is being implemented, there will be no need for lunch breaks as it is expected that students on the morning shift will eat lunch after they leave the school campus and those attending the afternoon shift would have eaten their lunch prior to arriving at campus.
Parents are also reminded to provide their children with a personal hand sanitizer.
Cabinet recently decided to reduce the six-feet social distancing requirement of six feet to three feet to facilitate an increase in the number of students being able to access onsite instruction in schools throughout the Territory.